Global Focus - Partners
Below you will find information about out Mission Partners, taken from the June 2010 copy of the GlobeTrotter.
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Kieren Barnes
Working at Cheryl's Children's Home, Nairobi in Kenya
Latest news: Cherish Watoto Kenya Kieren's Blog
Kieren writes, "Nairobi life is frantic... I am working on the building project for Cheryl's purchasing land near Naivasha, and at the same time dealing with small problems, eg. the boys keeping their dorm clean and tidy. The children have started bead-making as our first incomegenerating project, small scale at the moment but it sets an example for the type of organisation we want to become. Security at the Home is becoming an issue and we need to improve this, particularly at night time. Financially things are very tough at present with most of the staff going without pay each month as we provide all the essentials for the children. We pray that God will provide new sponsors for us which will help us sustain the work we are doing, and allow me and Samuel to focus on the future. We have been blessed with many volunteers over the last few months and more during the summer period; there is always room for more. Currently an Irish charity is funding the improvements for some classrooms and building new rooms for a library and computer room which is very exciting. Still waiting for the residency permit, which is frustrating.
Enjoying a new church and slowly settling in – it's quite similar to Ps & Gs in style. Also was blessed with a few days off recently to see some wildlife, first chance to relax since arriving in Kenya."
Points for Prayer
- the residency permit
- Peter who has cancer
- the building project
- child sponsorship
- a balanced work life
Phil & Ros Boydell (Gracie, Elsa & Anna)
Working with Navigators at Stirling University
Latest news: www.navigators.co.uk
Phil is co-leading a new summer school for older students and graduates in Arbroath in June. It is hoped that it will become an annual event where students and younger graduates can be taught, equipped and envisioned to a life of serving Christ. The summer involves preparation for the coming student year. Next year they have two graduate workers with them (one with UCCF doing the Relay programme, one with the Navigators doing the Connect programme).
Colin, the Connect worker from this year is about to leave to go to the States to take part in an international meeting of Navs workers. Phil writes, "Give thanks for all that we see of the Holy Spirit working in people's lives – it is indeed a privilege to be involved in this work and we thank all at Ps & Gs for their support."
Points for Prayer
- For Colin as he moves on to the working world next year
- For Aaron and Julia as they marry this summer and move to Strasbourg to work with the Navs there.
- For Jill as she graduates and moves to Oxford to work with CIS
- For our international students, Mari, Rebekka and Scot as they return to their native countries.
- For a couple of girls who joined the Boydells half-way through the year, who, after years of partying and living away from God, wanted to re-discover a faith in Christ. Pray for them as they spend the summer without the support of their friends and the group here
- Give thanks for the Boydell family and especially the safe arrival of baby Anna
Alastair & Helen Kerr (with Alisha, Hannah, Daniella, Ruairi & Callum).)
Operation Mobilisation in Ireland
Latest news:www.ie.om.org
The St Patrick's Day bus ministry in Athlone (10pm-3am) was a great opportunity for many people to talk about Jesus. The golf camp led by 9 golf coaches from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes was well received, with the teenagers more willing and open in the discussion groups this year. The 10 week fitness programme in Lisnamult housing estate was a good way of connecting with the community and all are eager for a similar event in the future. The Kerrs helped raise E2,100 for OM Haiti by supporting a 24-hour soccer marathon.
The Kerrs have had work teams from Northern Ireland helping build at Lacken House in May and June. The first team have almost completed a conference room in the stable block. The teams are giving their time and materials to do the work. Give thanks for these teams. Impact Ireland is running from 29 June to 13 July. Alastair expects to send about 55 people to work with churches around the country.
They hope to visit Edinburgh in late August and look forward to seeing us then.
Points for Prayer
- follow up from the bus ministry in Athlone
- all the summer outreaches including Impact Ireland and Baseball camp in Roscommon
- wisdom for Alastair as he helps lead the work
- someone to fill the personnel role longterm
- Give thanks for the Kerr family and all their energy
Rachel & Bob Mash (Sean & Ciara)
Rachel works in the Cape Town diocese with Fikelela and in Khayelitsha, a township outside Cape Town, South Africa.
Bob is a medical doctor.
Latest news: www.fikelela.org.za
Fikelela's new developments: The Children's Centre has been reorganised to accommodate more children, new beds and cots were bought with generous donations. Zonnebloem cottage is now full with 6 children and will be featured in Oprah Winfrey's O magazine in June. A group from their twin diocese York came and did some painting and put in an irrigation system – water in the sands of Khayelitsha.
The number of support groups for people with HIV/AIDS has grown to 11. One HIV+ member is going into clinics and personally inviting people to join their group; also 4 churches are involved in outreach to pregnant HIV+ mums and supporting those who have just given birth.
Rachel reports, "It has been wonderful to see how people are growing spiritually and emotionally, and feeling stronger physically. One member was enabled to share his status with his wife and came back full of joy that she did not reject him. Another member supports others who are defaulting on their ARV medication."
Peer educators have run 3 camps this year, and have now trained 34 churches, with 54 facilitators and 149 peer educators.
Rachel recently gave a presentation on 'Religion and HIV' at a conference run by the centre for HIV & AIDS at the University of the Free State.
This year at the Candlelight Memorial Service Rachel has asked several members to share their stories of how faith in God gave them strength to go on.
Points for Prayer
- Please give thanks for Rachel, her family and her work, may she stay strong and healthy and continue to spread the Good News to those in need
Mike & Helen Parker
Cairo, Egypt
Latest news: www.dioceseofegypt.org/english/
Their new All Saint's blog: www.bellsofzamalek.blogspot.com/
Mike & Helen write, "We're enjoying ministering to people from a large number of nationalities. There are many opportunities – almost too many. We are stretched by the business of living, the time it takes to get around, and finding enough slots to see people in this gigantic city. After 18 months in Cairo, we're seeing some growth but still exploring what is possible. We want to keep developing our Friday Club for children, our music, and our teaching; yet we're finding it's difficult to grow some of the regular activities like Bible studies and groups. Maybe this is our norm. After conferences with our friends at ICS and MECO, we're looking forward to some summer space to reflect on it all."
With (increasingly!) warm greetings from the Parkers and thanks for your interest.
Points for Prayer
- Give thanks for the Parkers as they open so many new doors to spread the Good News.
Julie Taylor
Anthropology, Ethnomusicology and Arts Coordinator for SIL Africa area; SIL International Consultant
Latest news: www.wycliffe.org.uk
Julie writes, "In April–May I spent several weeks in Ethiopia leading a worship workshop with 5 language groups. Due to the wrong word for 'dance' being used in the Amharic Bible translation (they focused on the Greek word 'komos' which relates to pagan revelry), most Ethiopian Christians believe dance is sinful in God's eyes. It's been this way for 100 years and remains a heated issue in the ongoing translations. I will continue to work with some church leaders in Addis to try to correct this unfortunate choice of wording.
Meantime, July 3-11 I'll be in Singapore at the Global Consultation on Music & Missions. Then to England for training strategy meetings, back to Nairobi, then back to England to teach the summer Arts courses (High Wycombe, Aug 9-Sept 17), then finally to Germany. Please pray I get sufficient students in High Wycombe as the recession seems to have affected numbers for short courses! I'll also be coordinating similar Arts courses in Mali, Aug 16-Sept 3.
Thanks to all of you at Ps & Gs for your love, prayers and support - karibu (welcome to) Kenya, the kettle is on anytime."
Points for Prayer
- Please give thanks for Julie and her enthusiasm to spread God's word
Ken & Sue Vissers (Josh, Hannah & Theo)
Scripture Union Honduras. Ken is Director of their camping ministry
Latest news: www.cerrodeluz.com
YouTube: Camp Cerro de Luz
CERRO DE LUZ means "peak of light" – this is what the Vissers would like the camp to be, a light shining above all the corruption and damaged lives, a beacon to hope in Jesus Christ. Especially as they have decided that they need to move back to Canada while Josh and Hannah attend High School, as the Honduras education system will not prepare them for an international University. Ken will continue in his position, travelling frequently to Honduras, but will also focus on raising funds and awareness to move the camp to the next level upon return in 2 years.
Sue continues to work in the community: Suyapa has a new roof on her house; the school in Puran has 36 new desks; Lucia has finally got some shelves in her store room; the wall around the church in Rincon is being built. Also the owner has agreed to let them use the land in front of the dormitory building, knowing that they will find the money. Please pray for this.
Points for Prayer
- for the Visser's move to Canada in August: for the kids fitting into a new culture, new school; for the finance to rent a house, buy a car; for a job for Sue
- time to see Sue's parents over Christmas – it's 5 years since they have seen them.
They will also be in Edinburgh to visit P's & G's this December. - The camp will run under the leadership of Ken's assistant, Ana and the program director, Kike. Please pray:
- for the SU Honduras Director, Orlando
- for all the leadership team Please pray for the camps this summer:
- for the kids that come, that they would have open ears and open hearts
- for the program team
- for the camp leaders that they would mirror Jesus to the kids
- for safety in all the activities
- for Jessy and Krizia in the kitchen
- Give thanks for the Vissers family and all that they do to spread God's love
World Vision
Kisumu, Kenya
Creating drought-resistant agriculture and businesses for vulnerable families is affecting real lives everyday. Erratic weather patterns and long dry-spells have meant that farmers have had to learn new farming methods and ways to feed their animals. When the rains come there are often floods because the water runs off the hard earth.
World Vision has been training farmers in disaster assessment and preparedness which allows families to make decisions that help them survive disaster. Planting new, drought- and flood-resistant crops, digging irrigation channels, building in new areas and moving cattle will prevent damage to lives and livelihoods. World Vision's micro-finance organisation in Kenya, KADET, is allowing women to earn income, often alongside struggling partners in traditional employment. This promotes equal opportunities and sustainability for single-parent households.
Points for Prayer
- for the completion of Kenya's constitution
- that the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission may promote forgiveness and healing, especially in Kisumu where postelection violence was rife in 2008
- for a favourable climate and agricultural success in the Kisumu area
- for women and children starting businesses to pay for food, water and housing
- for peace in the country